wellspring
3 synonyms for wellspring, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The place where the water of a spring or stream first rises.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
wellhead
fountainhead
Etymology
Came into English from Middle English wellespring, from Old English wiellspring, wiellġespring (“spring, fount, fountain”), corresponding to well plus spring. See also well and spring.
Full origin of wellspring →